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Questions & Answers about O vento é forte.
What is the function of the article O in the sentence?
The article O is a definite article equivalent to "the" in English. It also indicates that vento is a masculine noun, so it helps you know the gender of the noun.
What does the verb é represent here?
É is the third-person singular form of the verb ser, which means "to be". In this sentence, it translates to "is" in English.
Does the adjective forte change form depending on gender or number?
No, forte is one of the adjectives in Portuguese that remains the same regardless of gender or number. Whether you describe a masculine or feminine noun, forte stays unchanged.
Why does the adjective forte come after the verb in this sentence?
In Portuguese, especially when using the verb ser, adjectives that describe inherent qualities (like strength in the case of the wind) typically follow the verb. This word order (subject–verb–adjective) is quite common and similar to English.
How does the sentence structure in Portuguese compare to English?
The sentence “O vento é forte” follows a similar structure to English (Subject – Verb – Predicate Adjective): O vento (the subject), é (linking verb), forte (adjective). However, unlike English, Portuguese requires noun-adjective agreement in gender and number, which is indicated by the article and sometimes the adjective itself.
Is there any significance to the fact that vento is masculine in this sentence?
Yes, knowing that vento is masculine is important because it affects articles and adjectives in Portuguese. Since vento is masculine, you use the masculine definite article O rather than a (the feminine form). In other sentences, other adjectives or articles would need to agree with the masculine gender too.
How should I approach pronunciation for vento and forte in European Portuguese?
For vento, pronounce it roughly like "VEN-to" (with a short "e" as in "bet" and a clear "o" at the end). For forte, it sounds like "FOR-te", but note that the r in European Portuguese is typically pronounced in a more guttural way than in English. Listening to native speakers and practicing these sounds can help improve your pronunciation.